Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter VI
Rapidlythelinewasformed,HilmaandHarranDerrickinthelead,Annixterhavingobstinatelyrefusedtoengageineithermarch,setordancethewholeevening.Soontheconfusedshufflingoffeetsettledtoameasuredcadence;theorchestrablaredandwailed,thesnaredrum,rollingatexactintervals,thecornetmarkingthetime.Itwashalf-pasteighto’clock.
Annixterdrewalongbreath:
“Good,”hemuttered,“thethingisunderwayatlast.”
Singularlyenough,Ostermanalsorefusedtodance.TheweekbeforehehadreturnedfromLosAngeles,burstingwiththeimportanceofhismission.Hehadbeensuccessful.HehadDisbrow“inhispocket.”Hewasimpatienttoposebeforetheothersofthecommitteeasaskilfulpoliticalagent,amanipulator.Heforgothisattitudeoftheearlypartoftheeveningwhenhehaddrawnattentiontohimselfwithhiswonderfulclothes.Nowhiscomicactor’sface,withitsbrownish-redcheeks,protuberantearsandhorizontalslitofamouth,wasovercastwithgravity.Hisbaldforeheadwasseamedwiththewrinklesofresponsibility.HedrewAnnixterintooneoftheemptystallsandbegananelaborateexplanation,glib,voluble,interminable,goingoveragainindetailwhathehadreportedtothecommitteeinoutline.
“Imanaged—Ischemed—Ikeptdark—Ilaylow——”
ButAnnixterrefusedtolisten.
“Oh,rotyourschemes.There’sapunchintheharnessroomthatwillmakethehairgrowonthetopofyourheadintheplacewherethehairoughttogrow.Comeon,we’llroundupsomeoftheboysandwalkintoit.
